SYNOPSIS

Every year, 40 international runners descend upon a small town in Tennessee to test their mental and physical limits against the Barkley Marathons. Devised as a mockery of James Earl Ray’s historic prison escape gone awry, the race has seen only 10 finishers in its first 25 years. The race’s co-founder Lazarus Lake is as weird, unpredictable, and irresistible a character as the idiosyncratic event he has created. With a secret application process, unknown start time, and treacherous terrain, the Barkley has gained cult-like status with ultra-runners and amateurs alike. This award-winning, oddly inspiring, and wildly funny documentary invites you to the sports world’s most guarded secret; where pain has value, failure is spectacular, and it only costs $1.60.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKING PROCESS

We started making this documentary film in the winter of 2012 after reading Leslie Jamison’s stunning essay in The Believer magazine, “The Immortal Horizon” (May 2011). We quickly became enamored with the lore and inspiring story of The Barkley and before we knew it, were on a plane to Tennessee to meet the mysterious Lazarus Lake. We tried to keep up as he took us to scout the locations where we would be allowed to have camera operators, or motion-sensor activated cameras. Not long after, we hired an adventurous local Tennessee crew of 7, and returned to experience the Barkley 2012. It was unlike anything else we have ever experienced, and the film exemplifies that.

This film has been a labor of love for us and we could not have done it without the support of our Kickstarter & Indiegogo supporters.

We are happy to answer any and all questions regarding our filmmaking process. Please send an inquiry to barkleymovie@gmail.com

FILMMAKERS

Annika Iltis (Co-Director/Co-Producer)Annika’s passion for photography and film began in her hometown of Chicago. Before directing her first feature film, The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young, she was a crew member at the Sundance Film Institute, a visual effects plate coordinator, and a camera assistant. For the last 13 years she has worked on a variety of television shows and films such asMad Men, Step Brothers, and Enough Said.

Timothy Kane (Co-Director/Co-Producer)As a child in Philadelphia, Tim’s dream of making movies began when he saw a documentary on PBS about the making of Star Wars. Focusing on photography, cinematography, and filmmaking, Tim has worked in the industry for over 15 years on shows such as Mad Men,Superbad, and From Dusk Till Dawn.

Mariana Blanco (Editor)Mariana Blanco is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and editor based in Los Angeles. She has created videos for Participant Media, Gates Foundation, Sundance Institute, and Invisible Children.http://hoodablah.com/

Tyler Gibbons (Composer)Tyler Gibbons is a film composer and recording artist living in Southern Vermont. He has scored numerous feature films, documentaries, and media sites, most recently for the six-part documentary Freedom and Unity: The Vermont Movie. He has worked with a variety of artists and organizations, including Beth Orton, The Criterion Collection, the International Labour Organization, and American Idol Bo Bice. Gibbons is the co-founder and lead songwriter of Red Heart the Ticker, an indie-folk band that has toured widely and earned praise from The New York Times, Pitchfork Media, and No Depression.www.tygibbons.com

MUSIC

All music was originally composed for the film by Tyler Gibbons with a few exceptions…
-The race begins with a newly composed version of “Flocks, First Time” performed by Red Heart The Ticker and written by Robin MacArthur and Tyler Gibbons. The original version can be heard on their album Oh My! Mountains Below
-Brett and Jared duel on their 5th loops with a newly composed version of “The Old Smith-Corona” performed by Red Heart The Ticker and written by Tyler Gibbons. The original version was part of their monthly music-subscription project “Songs In the Lunar Phase” and can be heard on their website.
-The end of the film and the final credits are accompanied by the song “I Feel Jesus,” written by Francis Reedy in 1962. This version is performed by Anna & Elizabeth and titled “Oh My My” on their album Sun to Sun.
Anna & Elizabeth have a new self-titled album. They are amazing artists, musicians, and historians of music!

WANT MORE BARKLEY?

Tales from Out There: The Barkley Marathons, The World’s Toughest Trail Raceby “Frozen” Ed FurtawIf you want all the gory details of the Barkley Marathons from inception to present day, read Frozen Ed Furtaw’s seminal book. Otherwise known as The Barkley Historian, Frozen Ed’s detailed recounting of the race will have you spellbound. Any runner with a passing interest in the Barkley, beware! This book has been known to suck many a runner into this world – read at your own risk!

Building Time at Brushyby Stonney Ray Lane Lazarus Lake came up with the idea for the Barkley Marathons when he heard about James Earl Ray’s escape, and subsequent capture, from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. The prison warden of Brushy at the time, Stonney Ray Lane, penned this harrowing account of his experience there.

The Virgin and The Veteranby Cathy HennA prison break…an escaped convict lost in the backwoods of Tennessee. But who is that pursuing him? And who is his sidekick? Could this be the very “first” Barkley Marathons? This is the first published FAN FICTION inspired by the Barkley. The history, the terrain, and some familiar Barkley characters make appearances in this imaginative telling penned (and cover illustration by) members of the Barkley community. Great Fun!